Asian Indoor Plants

“Sago Palm” by Tatiana Gerus

A few weeks ago we discussed growing bamboo indoors. Along with beautiful and versatile plant there are many other Asian plants, particularly tropicals, that can work together to make beautiful indoor plantscapes.

A Few Examples of Plants

The Chinese Evergreen is one plant that is ideal for indoor use. It can survive on low amounts of light. This makes it great especially for indoor office spaces that have very little natural light.  It also needs some moisture, but you must take care not to overwater. The Chinese Evergreen does not have attractive flowers, but it’s greenery can make a nice backdrop for those plants that do have brightly colored, eye-pleasing flowers.

The Buddhist Pine or Chinese Yew can be planted in containers indoors. It too can be grown in the shade. In the shade, indoors it is slower growing than in the sun. It typically grows straight with little side branching. This would be a great plant to add height and texture to a large indoor container. The Chinese Yew can also be shaped and used as topiary.

Ehow.com lists Ixora as a beautiful blooming plant that can be grown indoors.  It can grow to about six feet tall and has pink, yellow or orange blossoms. Ixora, however, needs a sunny location. It would work well in a large windowed area or under skylights. Ixora could be used to add bright color to your landscapes.

The Ficus Elastica or rubber tree plant is also a native Asian plant that can grow well indoors. According to ehow.com the rubber tree plant can grow between 25 and 40 feet high and has leaves that are as long as 12 inches. This potentially large tree could make an excellent focal point in an indoor landscape.

The Sago Palm originated in Japan. It grows slowly, but can grow up to six feet tall. However, it can be kept smaller by using a smaller container.  Its trunk is the particularly interesting part of the plant and should be highlighted in a plantscape.  Guide-to-houseplants.com states that Sago Palms are not actually palms but Cycads. They grow well in sunlight and care should be taken not to over water them.

Containers

These are just a few examples of many plants that originated in Asia, which are excellent for indoor landscapes. The unique shape, form and color of many of the leaves provide interest to any plantscape and can serve as a focal point or an elegant backdrop. NewPro Containers has an excellent line of Asian inspired fiberglass containers that would display many indoor Asian plants beautifully. The containers come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors to fit all of the indoor plants various needs.

As you have planned indoor landscapers for your clients have you kept with a specific theme? Have you chosen plants from one particular region and containers that accented the plants and their region? Or have you simply used a variety of whatever works for the given space, regardless of the plant’s origin? What Asian plants have you found work well indoors or in containers?

Photo “Sago Palm” by Tatiana Gerus